Swiss National Bank

The 2009 and 2010 iconomix awards in brief

In 2009, the SNB expanded its iconomix economic education programme to include a contest, the iconomix award. The contest was designed to encourage students of Swiss upper secondary schools to explore the world of economics in greater detail. In this way, it aimed to improve the basic economic literacy of the population at large.

In 2009 and 2010, some 200 school projects dealing with economics-related topics were entered for the iconomix award, with around 70 of them receiving an award.

In 2011, it was decided that, for cost reasons, the iconomix award would be discontinued. The contest consisted of the following elements:

The contest

Prizes were awarded for school essays/projects on economics-related topics. Both written and non-written submissions (e.g. films, podcasts, games, websites) were accepted.

The categories

In category 1, students had to answer a challenge question from one of the iconomix modules in the form of an essay.

In category 2, students could submit an independent project.

Taking part

Students submitted their essay/project. A few days later, they received feedback on whether their submission fulfilled the requirements with regard to form and content, and had thus been approved.

A short written report (feedback report) by an expert in the field was then sent to the author(s) within four weeks, and the submission was included in the iconomic factsheet series and published on the iconomic award website.

Students whose submissions were particularly good were invited to the iconomix event, where they discussed their work with two economists (jury members).

Event and prize-giving

The event was held in the Westside leisure and shopping centre in Berne, and was a memorable experience for all the nominees and those accompanying them.

In the first part of the event, the authors discussed their work with the experts on the jury. At the same time, strategy games and iconomix simulations provided an opportunity for students to test their ability to think and act from an economics perspective.

The highlight of the event was the ceremony in the afternoon at which the awards were presented.

  • Archive
    http://www.iconomix-award.ch/en/archive/picture-gallery-2010/

The awards

All award winners received a certificate and prize money from the SNB.

In addition, the SNB presented ‘Best iconomix school’ awards to the schools with the highest number of valid submissions to the contest.

  • List of winnershttp://www.iconomix-award.ch/en/award-winners/winning-projects-2010/

Two teachers give us their impressions of the event

“The whole event was very professionally organised. The presence of some big names was a little awe-inspiring, and caused a few clammy hands and racing hearts, not least for me since I was accompanying the students and representing the school. [...] The experience of taking part in such an event motivates the students to perform well.”

Daniel Bucher, teacher at the Berufs- und Weiterbildungszentrum Uzwil, winner of a ‘Best iconomix school 2009’ award

“I was particularly impressed by the professionalism that could be felt during the whole process and the regular e-mail contact which the SNB maintained with both the students and the teachers. In addition, I liked that the students and their work were taken seriously. My student told me that he really appreciated that.”

Ursula Holliger, teacher at the Scuola d’arti e mestieri Lugano-Trevano, winner of a ‘Best iconomix school 2009’ award

What is the Swiss National Bank?

The Swiss National Bank (SNB) is Switzerland’s central bank. In other words, it is the only institution in the country authorised to issue banknotes. It is also responsible for ensuring that prices in Switzerland remain stable. As the central bank, the SNB has no commercial objectives. Its functions are laid down in the Federal Constitution and the National Bank Act.

What is iconomix?

iconomix is an economic education programme created and produced by the Swiss National Bank (SNB) and intended for use by teachers and students at Swiss upper secondary schools. The objective of the programme is to help improve the basic economic literacy of the population at large.

What is meant by economic literacy?

Whether we like it or not, we all need to have some basic economic knowledge in order to be able to deal with the forces that affect our daily lives – as private individuals, professionals and citizens. Being economically literate means, for instance, having a basic understanding of the economic role of governments and of the functioning of markets.

What are economics-related topics?

Within the context of the iconomix award, a project on an economics-related topic may deal with a variety of issues. Topics can range from the simple decisions a person takes in everyday life to the intricacies of a country’s economic policy. Projects on purely business-related topics, such as accounting or marketing, are not considered suitable.

What is a factsheet?

Any approved submission to the iconomix award will be published in the form of a factsheet. A factsheet contains details on the author, a brief description of the content and an extract from a short report (feedback report) written by an economist.

 

  • List of winnershttp://www.iconomix-award.ch/en/award-winners/winning-projects-2010/
  • Archivehttp://www.iconomix-award.ch/en/archive/picture-gallery-2010/